Team of the Week – Round 17

Forwards

Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn) – Lewis took the opportunity to play a more prominent role in the forward line this week. He was on fire in the third quarter and got on the end of some of the Hawks great ball movement through the midfield. He finished with 5 goals and 20 disposals.

Luke Dalhaus (Western Bulldogs) – Dalhaus was at his dangerous best against Carlton. Although he only had 11 disposals, he was very evasive with the ball in hand and left his mark on numerous passages of play. He finished with 4 goals.

Drew Petrie (Kangaroos) – Petrie has always had the ability to play a brilliant quarter of footy. Despite being well beaten during the first 3 quarters he was so good in the last quarter that he arguably elevated himself to best on ground. He was too strong on the lead and in marking contests and also kicked accurately for 5 last quarter goals (7 for the match).

Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle) – Pav made the most of his opportunity to boost his goal kicking tally against a hapless GWS outfit and move within striking distance of a Coleman Medal. He kicked 4 goals in the opening quarter to begin the demolition job and finished with 7.

Stephen Milne (St Kilda) – Milne was too sneaky for opponent Nick Smith and burst out of the blocks with 3 first quarter goals. He finished with 5 for the game and did his best to keep the Saints in it. It’s amazing that no one seems to be able to contain him.

Paul Stewart (Port Adelaide) – Stewart wasn’t dominant but he certainly made the most of his opportunities against a poor Demons defence to kick 5 goals straight. He’s tall and not bad at ground level and the Dees didn’t have anyone who was a suitable match up for him.

Midfielders

Tom Bellchambers (Essendon) – Bellchambers was dominant in the ruck against the Cats with 35 hit-outs. He also played a role in the forward line and kicked 3 goals. It will interesting to see how Hird handles the ruck duties when Ryder comes back.

Mitch Duncan (Geelong) – In the absence of Bartel, Duncan has stepped up and this week he was arguably best on ground against Essendon . He had 31 disposals and a goal. He looks more at home in the Geelong midfield with each passing week.

Bernie Vince (Adelaide) – In his 100th game Bernie was the standout player for the Crows. He had 25 disposals and hit up the scoreboard with 4 goals. He’s starting to hit his best form at the right time of the year.

Tom Rockliff (Brisbane) – Rockliff had another great game, this time picking up 29 touches and 110 Dream Team points against the Suns. He used the ball well throughout the game and took a crucial game winning contested mark in the goal square in the final term.

Gary Ablett (Gold Coast) – Ablett got the better of Andrew Raines and was dominant in contested situations. His stats were yet again amazing; 37 possessions, 9 tackles, 9 clearances and a goal. For his efforts he won the Marcus Ashcroft Medal.

Josh Kennedy (Sydney) – Kennedy produced a clear best on ground performance and was sensational in the confined spaces of the SCG. He finished with 35 disposals and a game high 9 clearances.

Defenders

Pearce Hanley (Brisbane) – Hanley was great off the half back flank against the Suns. He repelled many Gold Coast forward 50 entries and had a game high 5 rebound 50’s as well as 27 possessions and a game high 6 1%ers.

Charlie Dixon (Gold Coast) – Looking at the team sheets prior to the game it was hard to see how Gold Coast were going to stop Brown or Merrett. However Dixon battled manfully and was a large part of the reason they only kicked 1 goal each. He took the points against direct opponent Brown and had the confidence to win 10 contested possessions and take 7 marks. It was arguably his best game in the AFL.

Christopher Yarran (Carlton) – Yarran was one of the Blues’ small men who made the difference against the Dogs. He had 20 touches and sliced up Dogs’ defensive set up from half back. Incredibly, he had 11 running bounces (the next most in the game was 2) and clearly wasn’t afraid to take on the Dogs with the ball in hand.

Sam Fisher (St Kilda) – Fisher was amongst the best for the Saints and played a commanding defensive role. He was crucial to keeping the Saints in the game. He had 10 marks and 4 rebound 50’s.

Michael Johnson (Fremantle) – Johnson didn’t have much in the GWS forward line to worry about. He more or less did as he liked and worked himself back into some of his early season form. He finished with 20 disposals, 11 marks and 1 goal.

Brent Reilly (Adelaide) – Reilly continued his outstanding season with another good game against the Eagles. On numerous occasions he was able to cut off the Eagles forward 50 entries and was very reliable in switching the play. He had 23 touches.

Bench

Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide) – Dangerfield is stiff not be in the starting line-up this week. He was perhaps not as explosive as his usual self but his game against the Eagles was certainly damaging. He had 28 touches, 9 clearances and went forward and kicked 2 goals.

Travis Boak (Port Adelaide) – Boak is another one who is stiff not to be in the starting line-up. He was arguably best on ground against the Demons. His work around the stoppages was classy and he finished with 28 touches and a game high 9 clearances.

Luke Breust (Hawthorn) – Breust seems to enjoy going under the radar but he’s going to find that more difficult if he has more games like his against Collingwood. He only had 15 touches, but he kicked 5 goals and was instrumental in setting up some of the Hawks’ dominant forward play.

Steve Johnson (Geelong) – Despite receiving a groin injury and being substituted in the 3rd quarter, Johnson’s influence was so great early on that he makes the team of the week. He won possessions in all parts of the ground and extracted the ball from stoppages. By the time he was substituted he had 22 touches, 5 inside 50’s and two goals.